Rational Design of Variants of Short Antimicrobial Peptides derived from Snake Cathelicidin

“Advances in Cold Ion Spectroscopy”

Dr. Andrew DeBlase, Purdue University

If the infrared spectrum gives us a “fingerprint” of the molecule, why then is it not used more regularly to determine structure? I will describe several experimental methods that I have helped to develop as a Ph.D. student and a postdoctoral researcher to glean detailed structural insight using IR and UV spectroscopy.

“Design and Synthesis of Mitochondrial Citrate Carrier Protein Inhibitors for Treating Lung Cancer AND Design and Synthesis of Inhibitors of Interleukin-1β Protein-Protein Interactions for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis”

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that interacts with its five G-protein coupled receptors (S1P1–5) to regulate cell growth and survival and has been implicated in a variety of diseases including cancer, fibrosis, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and sickle cell disease. As the key mediators in the synthesis of S1P, sphingosine kinase (SphK) isoforms 1 and 2 have attracted attention as viable targets for pharmaceutical inhibition. In this presentation, I will discuss our efforts in inhibiting SphK through extensive medicinal chemistry campaigns. The activity of inhibitors in mice as well as their therapeutic implications will be discussed.

Please email Dr. You at yyou@gmu.edu if you’d like to meet the speaker.

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Visitors are always welcome at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Prospective students are especially encouraged to visit the campus; faculty members are happy to discuss academic and career opportunities in Chemistry.

Appointments may be arranged by calling the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at (703) 993-1070 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.